Analysis and antimicrobial activity of volatile constituents from Quercus leucotrichophora (Fagaceae) bark

Abstract

The chemical composition of the volatile extract (yield ≈0.13%, v/w) from the bark of Quercus leucotrichophora (Fagaceae) was analysed for the first time by GC–MS. Twenty-three constituents, amounting to 93.0% of the total detected contents of the volatile extract, were identified. The volatile extract contained approximately 86.36% monoterpenoids, 6.53% sesquiterpenoids and 0.11% aliphatic aldehydes. 1,8-Cineol (40.359%) followed by γ-terpinene (16.369%) were the major monoterpene constituents of the volatile extract. The residue of volatile extract (0.00025–250 µg mL⁻¹) exhibited a potent antimicrobial activity against Streptococcus pyogenes ATCC 19615. This study concludes that residues of the volatile extract of Q. leucotrichophora could serve as an important bioresource for the extraction and isolation of monoterpenoids exhibiting antimicrobial activity, and thus has good potential for use in the pharmaceutical industry.

Keywords:

• Quercus leucotrichophora
• Fagaceae
• monoterpene
• volatile constituents
• antimicrobial activity

Acknowledgement

The authors are thankful to UGC New Delhi, India [Grant No. F.4-3/2006(BSR)/11-84/2008(BSR)], for financial assistance.